Windows XP is over ten years old, but that doesn’t mean that people aren’t using it any more. In fact Windows XP continues to be one of the world’s most popular operating systems, and some polls even place XP ahead of Windows 7 in adoption numbers – even in September of 2012.

However, those who are still using XP might want to consider upgrading soon. A recent study by AV-Test confirmed that XP users are far more susceptible to malware than their Windows 7 counterparts.

The AV-Test study measured the malware detection rates of identical programs on Windows 7 and Windows XP and found that the Windows XP scores were almost always lower. Why are XP users so poorly defended? Apparently, the problem is with the Windows XP framework as opposed to the specific antivirus programs. Windows 7 is simply much more secure than Windows XP, and the test scores reflect that difference.

Another cause of the divide between XP and Windows 7 could be with the antivirus programs themselves. Antivirus manufacturers are no longer investing as much time and money into keeping Windows XP installations up-to-date. As a result, identical antivirus programs on XP and Windows 7 might have different scores. In addition, software companies could be willing to invest more time into fixing bugs on Windows 7 than on Windows XP – given that Windows 7 is arguably the most popular operating system at the moment.

Still using XP? An upgrade isn’t as expensive as you may think

Remember – Windows 8 is available for $39.99 to all existing Windows users. That discounted upgrade offer is only available until early 2013, after which the price will jump up to about $200. If you’re looking for a good time to upgrade, then there has never been a better time than now. Visit the official Microsoft website to learn more about the Windows 8 upgrade offer.

Of course, if you love using XP and don’t want to have to learn an entirely new operating system, then PC Cleaner Pro is available for the exact same price of $39.99. PC Cleaner Pro can be downloaded today as a free trial.

The free trial will monitor your system for any performance problems or malware issues, and then once you’re ready to eliminate these issues from your computer, simply purchase the full license and get ready to see a significant improvement in PC speed.